Custom Shoe Sole Biometric Parameter Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional shoes often fail to provide a precise fit and optimal support for individual foot shapes and walking styles, particularly in medical-orthopaedic and sports applications, where specific demands and stresses require tailored footwear solutions.

Innovation Solution

A shoe sole designed according to individual biometric data, combining three-dimensional foot shape, weight distribution, and walking patterns, manufactured using rapid prototyping processes like laser sintering to create a one-piece insole and outsole with customizable features such as flexible areas, heel height, and stud configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional mass-production methods are used for shoes, then manufacturing efficiency and cost-effectiveness are improved, but the fit and comfort for individual wearers deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidfit and comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by using biometric data to determine specific geometric parameters of the shoe sole, including the position and orientation of compliant and rigid areas, footbed profiling, heel height, and lug configuration. These parameters are customized for each wearer based on their individual foot shape, weight distribution, and walking style, resolving the contradiction between mass-production efficiency and individual fit comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If custom-made shoes are crafted individually, then the fit and comfort for specific wearers are improved, but manufacturing complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefit and comfortVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by capturing biometric data and determining all sole parameters before production begins. The complete design data for the sole and upper are created in advance based on the wearer's foot shape, weight distribution, and walking style, allowing the actual manufacturing to proceed efficiently without complex adjustments during production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent determines multiple geometric parameters of the shoe sole based on biometric data, including the position and orientation of compliant and rigid areas, footbed profiling, heel height, and lug configuration. This systematic parameter determination approach simplifies the manufacturing process by providing complete design specifications before production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If standard shoe designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to individual biomechanical needs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to individual needs
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by determining specific geometric parameters of the shoe sole based on biometric data, including the position and orientation of compliant and rigid areas, footbed profiling, heel height, and lug configuration. This allows standard manufacturing processes to produce customized shoes that adapt to individual biomechanical needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by capturing biometric data and determining all sole parameters before production begins. The complete design data are created in advance based on the wearer's foot shape, weight distribution, and walking style, allowing efficient manufacturing without complex adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Manufacturing precision

If rapid prototyping processes are used for shoe sole production, then customization capability and manufacturing precision are improved, but production time and cost for small batches increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization precisionVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by capturing biometric data and determining all sole parameters before production begins. The complete design data for the sole and upper are created in advance based on the wearer's foot shape, weight distribution, and walking style, allowing rapid prototyping to proceed efficiently with pre-defined specifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent determines multiple geometric parameters of the shoe sole based on biometric data, including the position and orientation of compliant and rigid areas, footbed profiling, heel height, and lug configuration. This systematic parameter determination enables precise customization while maintaining production efficiency through automated data processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a highly adaptive and personalized shoe sole that optimizes comfort, support, and performance by aligning with the unique anatomical and biomechanical needs of the wearer, enhancing both short-term and long-term wearability and reducing the need for frequent replacements.

Implementation Method 1

The shoe sole according to the invention will be manufactured using a rapid prototyping (RP) process. It will be produced using a layer-by-layer manufacturing process.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLayer-by-layer manufacturing: 3D Printing

Implementation Method 2

Laser sintering technology can be used.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser sintering: Selective Laser Sintering

Data Source

PatentEP1903900B1Shoe sole and method for the production thereof
Publication Date: 2019.07.10 JUNIOR VOLKER
  • EP1903900B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1903900B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP1903900B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Disclosed is a sole for a shoe of a wearer, which is embodied according to individual biometric data of the wearer. A method for producing a shoe for a wearer comprises the following steps: the wearer's biometric data is detected; design data for the sole and/or the shoe top and/or the last is created according to the biometric data; and a shoe is produced according to the design data.